[DocJohn]

Hi folks,

Just a heads-up about some template changes we're going to be reviewing for hopeful implementation in the next few weeks/month.

Our default template, as many have noted, is not mobile-friendly. While we do support Tapatalk as an alternative to being mobile-friendly, not everyone likes the Tapatalk app.

Instead, we'll be looking to implement a responsive design, much like the main Psych Central.com website. This means it will work on both desktop and mobile and designed to look well on both. The testing for this will begin this week and we'll see how it goes... we have a lot of customizations that we need to ensure work with this new theme.

Eventually, the new responsive theme will replace the default Psych Central tan theme (which will still be available, if you prefer it).

I don't have much more information than this at the moment, so just wanted to give you a heads-up. You will not experience any changes to the default theme until testing is done. We will post notices and what-not when we get closer to that time.

Best,
DocJohn

[Echos Myron redux]

I'm not too bothered about the colour, but will the original desktop version still be available in terms of the layout? I like it and I don't want to change. You might think it's not mobile friendly but I've spent years on this site and have mastered navigating it on mobile browser. I could do it with my eyes closed. I don't want to change. Also, if it's anything like the one you tested today, it makes the posts very thin and difficult to read. I've logged out and in again and I still have the issue on the "psych central" theme. I have to change to "teal/black" to make it go back to the original layout.

[DocJohn]

Hi folks, the new template is called Responsive_Blue and will become the default template of the forums once testing has been completed (likely about another week's time).

This template should work well on all platforms: desktops/laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

You're welcomed to check it out and let us know if you experience any difficulties or unexpected issues.

Thanks!

PS - As a reminder, the Psych Central template will still be available to all users who want to keep using it. You may have to manually select it when it no longer is the default template, but it is not going away.

[CANDC]

When you do change to the new template if you can leave a short tutorial or instructions on how to select your template that would be a help. Thanks.

[unaluna]

Ooh, i like it! So far!

[FooZe]

Originally Posted by CANDC

if you can leave a short tutorial or instructions on how to select your template that would be a help

The theme selector is at the lower left of each page:



I got a little panicky when I tried to select some text to quote but it apparently wouldn't select. It turns out that it did select, it just didn't change color ("highlight"). I hope that's just a temporary bug.

-------------------------------
Two updates:

1. The other way to select a theme is through My Profile | Edit Options | Miscellaneous Options | Forum Skin

2. I just found out that text I've selected does change color, only it doesn't change to the white-on-a-dark-blue-background that I've gotten used to. It changes to black-on-a-white-background that looks exactly like the unselected text around it. When I select text that's on a yellowish background (like some of the section headings in Edit Options), the white selection is faintly visible against the yellowish background.

.

[CepheidVariable]

Thanks for the heads-up. For those of us who have spent some time on the site and have a sort of visual and muscle-memory for the current theme, it's a bit jarring the first few minutes. But my initial impression is that it looks good overall on my desktop setup.

Are you interested in any "usability" feedback at this juncture, or are you still really actively developing it?

[CANDC]

Desert Sand is nice for highlighting

[DocJohn]

The highlighting color has been fixed.

Yes, the theme selector that appears on every page doesn't always seem to work. It's always been like that and we were never sure quite why...

[Taylor27]

I like the change so far

[lizardlady]

Um, I tried using the theme selector at the bottom left and in my profile. Nothing changed no matter what theme I picked. I'm confused.

[unaluna]

Originally Posted by lizardlady

Um, I tried using the theme selector at the bottom left and in my profile. Nothing changed no matter what theme I picked. I'm confused.

Did you remember to save the change at the bottom of the screen?

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by unaluna

Did you remember to save the change at the bottom of the screen?

Yep I did

[seesaw]

So I saw this thread but today, for the first time, the new theme actually showed up for me. Was kind of a shocker. I don't know if I dislike it cause it's new or if it's legitimately because the previous theme was easier to read. I think it may be the difficulty in reading.

[amandalouise]

I tried the new theme and did not like it. I went back to the regular psych central theme. I dont see me using the responsive blue at all.

[Echos Myron redux]

I've surprised myself in that I actually quite like it. I usually don't like new things. I genuinely find this easier. It's a shame we no longer have 'moods' though. I liked that feature.

is rhis the reason the site keeps crashing on my ipad for the past how long. i have changed from responsive to PC layout but the page just keeps coming up empty if i refresh then i have to open a new tab

[sarahsweets]

I like the new look, at least on my laptop. I use tapatalk so I havent tried the forum on my phone yet.

[~Christina]

Originally Posted by sarahsweets

I like the new look, at least on my laptop. I use tapatalk so I havent tried the forum on my phone yet.

Tapatalk looks the same as always

[Crazy Hitch]

Whatever it is showing on my screen right now I give this a big thumbs up

[Tamster]

in responsive blue there is no fuction buttons on your profile page ie forums button in the upper left of the screen. when i changed back to spring everything returned to normal.

[Tamster]

are we going to be enlisting a user team to get input about changes or is this only administration with input?
how will you know what is working for the regular member if you don't ask some of them.
I knew nothing about the changes and had to high step it to be able to calm some nerves that cropped up yesterday. They were unable to access forums and hence couldn't find this thread. At least letting your mods know could ease the way over the next weeks to months and good PR is important to the member base.
thanks , tams

[DocJohn]

I'm sorry if you missed the discussion of the new template and its testing from last week. New templates aren't really up for "discussion" because you always have the choice of choosing the theme or template you like best. If we introduce a new one and don't take away the old one, you can continue using the old one.

I've requested and gotten a fair amount of feedback already on the new template, and we've made changes to it based upon that feedback. We will continue to make changes to the new template as well.

As I explained when we were testing the new theme, we needed to implement this theme due to the impact the forums have on our search visibility in Google. Not having a default mobile-responsive theme in the forums was likely hurting us.

If you're looking to keep up with changes to the technical side of the forums, this is the forum to be in. Since most members don't care about these changes (outside of how to go back to their favorite theme), it's dependent upon members to visit this forum. It's not something we felt needed more widespread visibility since the old theme is readily available to continue using.

Thanks for your feedback!

[tecomsin]

I had the pleasure of setting the format back to "Psych Central" instead of Responsive_blue on my laptop. I tried the new format on my phone and was bothered by the 'chat' button hovering over on the lower right corner. It looks like an improvement on the phone were I ever to have to use that.

[sarahsweets]

Anyone know how to get the chat bubble to go away when using your phone and the quote post option? Its not in the way if I do quick reply but anything quoting it stays in the middle.